Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 176 The Old Dragon's Roar (Part 2)
He rose and flicked his sleeves, his black robe sweeping across the morning light. He said to the attendants who had come with him from the post station, "Give the order to prepare the 'Naji' ceremony immediately. They shall come with me to the palace before Shenshi (3-5 PM) to meet with Jiao Bo."

"promise,"

The attendant replied.

As the hour of Shen approached, incense burned in the bronze beast-head cauldron, and the bronze door hinges of the main hall of Jiao State creaked softly.

Amidst the sounds of bells and drums, Wu Wenhe led his retinue, carrying twelve vermilion lacquered wooden chests into the hall. The corners of the chests, gilded with patterns of Xu Kingdom water, reflected a cold luster in the light and shadow of the corridor.

Meng Jiang stood beside her father with her eyes lowered, while the old dragon, wrapped in plain brocade, leaned against her waist. The strings of his zither occasionally vibrated, echoing the distant tinkling of the bronze bells outside the palace.

After entering the hall, Wu Wenhe first bowed deeply and said loudly, "This is three bolts of silk and six pieces of jade, a token of our sincerity in pledging allegiance to the country."

Then, the attendants opened the vermilion wooden boxes behind them. The moment the boxes were opened, a warm and jade-like fragrance suddenly filled the hall, like the thin mist rising from the banks of the Luo River in spring.

The six-sided green jade paperweight is arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. In the center is a white jade disc the size of a millstone. The surface of the disc is engraved with a dragon and snake holding a candle in the mouth of the Xu Kingdom. Twelve bright pearls are inlaid where the dragon and snake point.

Wu Wenhe picked up the crimson jade scepter and announced loudly, "There are seven crimson scepters, representing the harmony of the seven celestial bodies."

The seven celestial bodies refer to the sun, moon, and five planets. When these seven celestial bodies are in harmony, the planets move in an orderly and harmonious manner. The people of the Great Wilderness believed that when the seven celestial bodies are in harmony, the heavens and earth are in order, yin and yang are in balance, all things prosper, and the world is peaceful and people live in peace.

The harmony of the seven celestial bodies is considered an auspicious sign, indicating prosperity for the family and the nation, and success for the individual.

Upon seeing the Crimson Jade, Jiang Xia said, "Prime Minister Wu is very thoughtful. This Crimson Jade corresponds to the element of fire, which is exactly the same lineage as my Zhu Rong."

Upon hearing this, Wu Wenhe looked up and said, "Uncle Jiao is too kind. Jiao and Xu both come from the same ancestral source of the Yan Emperor. The two countries are like trees from the same root, and should naturally support each other."

As they spoke, the last person opened the dark red wooden box, and a hundred bolts of silk cascaded out like flowing clouds, with a faint starlight appearing on them. Meng Jiang leaned closer to look and saw that the black silk was woven with neatly arranged stars.

Wu Wenhe said gently, “These hundred bolts of black and red silk, black taking the color of heaven and red taking the color of earth, are the colors of heaven and earth. We present them as a gift, intending to live as long as heaven and earth.”

Meng Jiang, standing to the side, spoke softly, "Father, the Xu state's betrothal proposal is very thoughtful."

Seeing this, Jiang Xia nodded and smiled, "As long as you think it's good, I have no objection."

"besides,"

Upon seeing this, Wu Wenhe, who was presenting the gift, had a sudden inspiration. He took out a roll of silk from his sleeve, bowed deeply again, and said, "This is a map of the inner garden made by my Xu Kingdom to welcome the noble lady. It includes the Chrysanthemum Garden, the Qin Terrace, the Orchid Pavilion, and the Greenery Pavilion, where spring is ever-present in all four seasons."

"Please, Lord Jiao and your daughter, read this together."

"Um,"

Jiang Xia took the silk from the palace maid, unfolded it, and glanced at the Cuige Pavilion on the picture. She paused on the pattern of the winding stream and said, "This Lanting Pavilion is built by the lake, which is somewhat similar to the layout of the inner garden of Jiaoguo."

Wu Wenhe replied, "This inner garden is modeled after the scenery of Jingjiao Kingdom. I only hope that you, my esteemed lady, can also see the scenery of your homeland in Xu Kingdom to ease your homesickness."

Jiang Xia's eyes softened as she said to Wu Wenhe, "Your country's craftsmanship is so exquisite; I am no petty person."

As they spoke, the sounds of bells and drums gradually subsided, and the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the hall. Jiang Xia raised her hand and waved it lightly, and servants carried in nine black jade-patterned wooden chests in single file.

When the lid of the box was opened, a faint blue light suddenly flowed through the hall, as if ice crystals had been solidified and formed. In the bronze square cauldron at the front, seven jade tigers lay, their bodies engraved with the Taiyi True Seal script, and their tails held winding water patterns.

"They're all water-repelling items!"

Wu Wenhe's eyes brightened slightly as he carefully examined the Taiyi True Seal script engraved on the jade tiger's body. Not only the jade tigers, but also the black jade-patterned wooden box behind the bronze square cauldron contained treasures that shone brilliantly. Apart from these seven jade tigers, symbolizing the seven celestial bodies and representing auspicious omens, which could not be added, the rest of the jade and silk gifts were given in return, doubled according to what Wu Wenhe had brought.

After all, due to its advantageous location, Jiao State has experienced little turmoil since its founding. Its royal lineage has been orderly, and its wealth accumulated over the generations far surpasses that of a newly stable state like Xu State.

------

While Wu Wenhe, who was in the western part of Henan, was discussing a marriage alliance with Jiao Bo and marveling at the Jiao family's wealth, he was unaware that war had broken out in the eastern part of Henan.

Xu State, Xu Capital
The bugle sounded from the east gate, and the armored soldiers on duty gripped their spears tightly, the bronze gauntlets striking their armor with a soft clang.

In the main tent of the Xudu military camp, Lü Shang, clad in armor, exuded a cold aura. Lü Chong, Baili Ming, and other advisors sat to his left and right, awaiting Lü Shang's orders.

Lü Shang said coldly, "I will personally lead five brigades of armored soldiers eastward to conquer Tongqiu. Tongqiu has murdered its ruler, which is a heinous crime. As a descendant of Lü You and Lü Wenshu, I cannot sit idly by and watch such a usurper establish a new kingdom."

"What do you think?"

As a descendant of Lü You, a virtuous and noble scholar during the reign of Emperor Yao of the Tao Tang clan, Lü Shang was fully qualified to say this.

During the reign of Emperor Yao, Lü You washed his ears, which made him famous throughout the land. His virtue was praised by all the states and peoples of the nine provinces. He was a true sage.

It was precisely because of this legacy that Lü Wenshu, the grandson of Lü You, was able to become the founding ruler of the State of Xu by virtue of his service to the emperor.

The crowd shouted in unison, "This thief should be executed!"

Lü Shang drew his sword, pointed it at Tongqiu, and said, "Yes, this traitor should be executed. If even such a usurper can enjoy the country, will the instigator have no descendants?"

“Such a great traitor should be personally led by my Xu state and by me, Xu Boshang, to lead an army to destroy him.”

Although Lü Chong had previously volunteered to lead the troops, Lü Shang, after much deliberation, decided to personally lead the armored soldiers into battle. This was, after all, his first foreign campaign since ascending the throne, and he had to ensure that if he didn't fight, he wouldn't fight at all, but if he did, he would win.

The candlelight in the tent suddenly blazed brightly, and the coiled dragon patterns on the bronze candlesticks made everyone's faces appear ashen.

Gongzi Chong rose with his hand on his sword. The Taotie pattern on the shoulder of his armor glowed with an eerie light as he moved. He said, "Since Your Majesty is personally leading the expedition, I request to be the vanguard. I am willing to lead a brigade of armored soldiers to break through the main gate of Tongqiu and offer the blood of the regicide as a sacrifice to the flags and drums!"

"it is good,"

Lü Chong's voice was like the clash of metal, and Lü Shang replied, "Then, I will let my elder brother be my vanguard, and we will strike Tongqiu directly to achieve merit for the country."

After saying that, Lü Shang looked up at Baili Ming on his left and said, "Baili Qing, I hereby appoint you as Grand Regent, to oversee all affairs of the state and to guard the rear for me."

Baili Ming stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. With me stationed in Xudu, I will ensure that Your Majesty has no worries about anything else."

As he spoke, he took out a scroll of bamboo slips from his sleeve and said, "Furthermore, I have ordered people to organize the young and strong men in the country into the reserve force, and they will be trained every five days, so that they can be prepared for any eventuality."

Although these young men are worlds apart from the actual armored warriors, being prepared is always better than being unprepared.

Lü Shang nodded, then turned his gaze to Feng Boling on his right, and said, "The affairs of the state are now entirely entrusted to you two."

Feng Boling rose and said, "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."

(End of this chapter)